Mushtaq Ahmed

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Mushtaq Ahmed
Pakistan (Pak)
Mushtaq Ahmed
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling type Legbreak googly
Tests ODIs
Matches 52 144
Runs scored 656 399
Batting average 11.71 9.50
100s/50s -/2 -/-
Top score 59 34*
Balls bowled 12532 7543
Wickets 185 161
Bowling average 32.97 33.29
5 wickets in innings 10 1
10 wickets in match 3 N/A
Best bowling 7/56 5/36
Catches/stumpings 23/- 30/-

As of 4 February 2006
Source: Cricinfo.com

Mushtaq Ahmed (Urdu: مشتاق احمد) (born 28 June 1970 in Sahiwal) is a Pakistani cricketer, more specifically a leg spin bowler. He is known for his hard-to-pick googly. He famously trapped Graeme Hick in front with one during the 1992 World Cup Final. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997. However, despite taking over 150 one-day international and Test wickets, he hasn't played international cricket since October 2003.

He has played a lot of county cricket in England, including for Somerset and Surrey earlier in his career, and now for Sussex.

In 2003, Mushtaq was the leading wicket taker in county cricket, finishing the season with 103, and inspiring Sussex to the County Championship title. Following this, he was recalled by Pakistan but was soon dropped for being ineffectual. In the 2004 season, Mushtaq was again the leading wicket taker in English county cricket with 84 scalps, but with Danish Kaneria's emergence as Pakistan's first-choice leg spinner, Mushtaq looks unlikely to play for Pakistan's national side again.

Recently, there have been rumors that Pakistan Cricket Board may hire Mushtaq Ahmed to coach the Pakistan bowlers.[citation needed]

In 2006, Mushtaq (or "Mushy" as he is best known to Sussex fans) took 102 wickets as Sussex once more won the County Championship, as well as the C&G Trophy. He began the last Championship match of the season, against Nottinghamshire, on 89 wickets, but a haul of 13 in the match (including a career-best 9-48 in the second innings) took him past the hundred mark once again.

A recent petition to have a Brighton & Hove bus named after him was rejected due to a change in the firm's policy.[citation needed]

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